Mary Ellen Magruder Barrall

The following obituary of Mary Magruder Barrall was transcribed from The Pioneer News by Edith Blissett from the Christmas Day 1925 edition of that paper. The picture is inserted from this location, and is one of a number of Bullitt County pictures accessible from this location.

Mrs. Mary Magruder Barrall

As peacefully as the passing of a summer day, Mrs. Mary Barrall fell into the dreamless slumbers of death at her home near Mt. Eden Friday, December 18th, 1925, after a brief illness. She was cared for during her illness by a devoted daughter and other loved ones, and all that loving hands and medical skill could do, was done, but her days were numbered and there had come to the beloved mother, friend and neighbor, that summons which must come to each and all. On Sunday, December 20th, after very tender and touching services at the Baptist Church in this place, conducted by Rev. Burkhalter, her remains were conveyed to Hebron and there tenderly laid to rest beside her daughter, who had preceded her just a little more than three years. In his funeral sermon, Rev. Burkhalter paid a high and deserved tribute to the memory of Mrs. Barrall and her long life of devotion to the welfare of her loved ones and neighbors.

Mrs. Barrall was the daughter of Archibald Magruder, and the sister of the late George W. Magruder, a former well known citizen of this county. She was married to Charles R. Samuels, clerk of Bullitt County court in 1852 and lived happily with him until his death in 1866. Three children blessed this marriage: Misses Kate and Josie Samuels and Charles Lee Samuels. In 1877, she was married to the late Christian H. Barrall, who died on the 7th day of March, 1903, since which time Mrs. Barrall made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Thomas J. Barrall. Mrs. Barrall had been a consistent member of the Baptist Church for seventy two years having united with that church when eighteen years of age. She is survived by two children, Mrs. Josie Samuels Barrall, wife of Thos. J. Barrall and Mr. Charles Lee Samuels, both of Mt. Eden and by several grandchildren, among them being Dr. George M. Barrall and Miss Josie Barrall of Kansas City, Kansas and Foskett Barrall and Christian Barrall, the former of Mt. Eden and the latter of Louisville and the children of Charles Lee Samuels. She is also survived by one brother, Mr. S. F. Magruder, of Kevil, Ky and several nephews, among them being Mr. Sam D. Magruder of Lebanon Junction.

Mrs. Barrall's name was a synonym for all that is pure and lovable in womankind. Those who knew her and her real worth to her family, church and community never forgot her. Her long life of ninety years was one of service, service to her Master and God, service to her family and loved ones, service to her friends and community and service to mankind.

One of the finest tributes to her character and worth was paid her last night by Judge Morrow who boarded with her in 1874. His tribute was this "She was the best woman I ever saw. She did not know the meaning of the word bad. She was good to everybody and a friend to all." The above words epitomize what columns volumes of praise could not say.

She grasped, she practiced, she lived the philosophy of life "Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised". "Grandmother" Barrall is gone but her good works and beautiful life, like one of God's glorious summer sunsets, has left an afterglow which shall linger in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved her, as long as those hearts shall beat and those minds shall remember. If the girls and young women of Bullitt County would but emulate her fine examples, and live as she lived, their lives would be more useful and more beautiful.

If you, the reader, have an interest in any particular part of our county history, and wish to contribute to this effort, use the form on our Contact Us page to send us your comments about this, or any Bullitt County History page. We welcome your comments and suggestions. If you feel that we have misspoken at any point, please feel free to point this out to us.

The Bullitt County History Museum, a service of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is located in the county courthouse at 300 South Buckman Street (Highway 61) in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The museum, along with its research room, is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday. Admission is free. The museum, as part of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization and is classified as a 509(a)2 public charity. Contributions and bequests are deductible under section 2055, 2106, or 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Page last modified: 13 Jul 2015
. Page URL:
bullittcountyhistory.org/bchistory/mary_barrall.html